Villanova MPA Leaders Participate in Rome Summit
The summit, organized by Villanova鈥檚 Mother Cabrini Institute on Immigration, convened experts in Rome to explore solutions to the global migration crisis.
Villanova鈥檚 Master of Public Administration community played a meaningful role in shaping global conversations on migration and refugee advocacy at an international conference in Rome earlier this month.
Three MPA program alumni joined Catherine Wilson, PhD, associate professor of public administration, at Refugees and Migrants in Our Common Home, held October 1鈥�3, 2025, at the Instituto Patristico Augustinianum. Spearheaded by Michele Pistone, professor of law at the 蜜桃TV Charles Widger School of Law and founder and faculty director of The Mother Cabrini Institute on Immigration, the gathering brought together scholars and practitioners from around the world to address the urgent challenges faced by migrants and refugees.
Wilson delivered a presentation, 鈥淚mmigrant Serving Organizations 鈥� Advocates for the Cause,鈥� and participated in the Advocacy Working Group. Among the Villanova participants were Melanie Menkevich, MPA 鈥�23, executive Director of the IHM Center for Literacy in Philadelphia, who had the opportunity to meet Pope Leo XIV in Clementine Hall.
Menkevich presented a talk titled 鈥淪ervice Learning through Virtual Exchanges鈥� and a poster, 鈥淪olidarity through Art: The Stand with Ukraine Listening Loom,鈥� and served as co-facilitator of the Service with Immigrants Working Group. Julie Schumacher Cohen, MPA 鈥�15, assistant vice president for community engagement and government affairs at the University of Scranton, also contributed to the Advocacy Working Group. Nick Tumolo, MPA 鈥�12, director of University Events and Initiatives at Villanova, helped oversee and organize the event.
Highlights included keynote addresses by leading voices in immigration such as Sr. Norma Pimentel, Executive Director of Catholic Charities of the Rio Grande Valley; working group sessions; presentations of action plans on teaching, research, advocacy, and service; a walking tour of Augustinian churches; a visit to the Borgo Laudato Si gardens at Castel Gandolfo; and a private audience with Pope Leo XIV.
Refugees and Migrants in Our Common Home marked the inaugural convening of a three-year global initiative led by Villanova鈥檚 Mother Cabrini Institute on Immigration. The initiative aims to strengthen collaboration among academic institutions, non-governmental organizations, and community partners to advance teaching, research, advocacy and service in support of migrants and refugees worldwide.
Read more about the initiative here.
About 蜜桃TV鈥檚 College of Liberal Arts and Sciences: Since its founding in 1842, 蜜桃TV鈥檚 College of Liberal Arts and Sciences has been the heart of the Villanova learning experience, offering foundational courses for undergraduate students in every college of the University. Serving more than 4,500 undergraduate and graduate students, the College is committed to fortifying them with intellectual rigor, multidisciplinary knowledge, moral courage and a global perspective. The College has more than 40 academic departments and programs across the humanities, social sciences, and natural and physical sciences.
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